Hornets come away with hard fought win

JONESVILLE — The Hillsdale Girls’ Basketball team had to fight to the final buzzer to walk away with a semi-final round victory against Jonesville in this year’s district competition.

Hillsdale junior Jamee Thompson but the game out of reach in the closing seconds of the game going 2-4 from the foul line putting the Hornets up by four. Hillsdale defeated Jonesville 41-37.

“We came up just a little short,” said Jonesville coach Tom Dunn. “They hit some big shots at key times in the game.”

The Hornets got out to an early lead on the Comets, but Jonesville fought its way back into the game. Jonesville senior Hannah Smith hit a three point shot with under 30 seconds left in the first quarter to bring the Comets to within three.

“We knew we were going to have to play hard tonight,” said Hillsdale Coach Nick Langston. “I am proud of the my girls.”

Jonesville took its first lead of the game at the 3:39 mark of the second quarter on a three pointer by Amy Jacks to take the lead 13-11. The Comets led at halftime 18-15.

Langston said he changed his offense up at halftime allowing the Hornets to get the ball into the lane, from their they were able to kick the ball out to the wings.

The Hornets were led by senior Hayley Maystead who had 26 points on the night. Maystead went 6-6 from the floor in the second half as she racked up 15 points in the half.

In the closing seconds of the game the Comets closed the score to within two points at 39-37 with 18.5 seconds left.

Langston said his team needs to concentrate on making their shots from the free throw line as they look ahead to the district finals where they will take on Adrian Madison. The Hornets went 7-18 from the line.

Looking ahead to Friday night’s game Langston said his team just needs to come out and play their game.

“I told the girls on the bus ride over we are the defending champs until someone beats us,” he said.

Langston said he didn’t know much about Adrian Madison, but he took time to watch their semi-final game against Addison.

“There a good basketball team,” he said. “They do everything well.”

After the game Dunn complemented the effort of his team.

“I hate it for my five seniors I wanted them to make it to the championship game,” he said. “They didn’t hold anything back tonight.”

A positive from the game for the Comets is Dunn can look forward to a core group of returning players next year.

“We have a lot of young girls who will be returning,” Dunn said.

Page 2 of 2 - Rounding out the scoring for Hillsdale was Thompson with six, Kim Sanderson with four and Sarah Maple with three.